The stunning "Supermid" 889 Panigale presented as the
new way to access the world of Ducati Superbikes

New 899 Panigale to be unveiled to the public at the
San Marino GP in Misano this weekend

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 12
September 2013 - Following its surprise preview at the VW Group Night in
Frankfurt, Germany on Monday, the Ducati 899 Panigale was officially presented
to the press today during a media event at the Ducati factory in Bologna,
Italy.
Ducati Motor Holding's recently
appointed CEO, Claudio Domenicali, explained the new 899 Panigale model in
detail and, one year on from the Audi Group acquisition, provided the first
official overview of the progress achieved by the company despite a challenging
and delicate European motorcycle market.

"My professional career began here
at Ducati 22 years ago and finding myself at the helm of the company today
makes me immensely proud, but also aware of the huge responsibility that comes
with this position," said Claudio Domenicali on meeting the press. "Audi is a
stakeholder who wishes to be involved in the technical development of the
company and to focus its efforts on product development. Now, a year after the
acquisition, it is time to take stock of the initial results and look to the
future with a positive and proactive attitude.

"Ducati achieved record sales in
2011 and again in 2012 when over 44,000 motorcycles were delivered to
customers. Despite the current market dip, Ducati have almost equalled those
sales for the first six months of 2013 and, with the introduction of new models
in the second half of the year, we are expecting positive results.

"The new Hyperstrada became
available in showrooms from early June while the 899 Panigale will become available
this October. In addition to this, positive sales trends are being recorded in
emerging markets, such as 66% growth in Thailand, a country where we were not
even present three years ago and where we expect to deliver approximately 2,500
motorcycles this year. In Brazil, where we only started to sell motorcycles
this year, we are now averaging 100 deliveries to customers per month and in
China sales are up 75% on 2012. With 90% of our production now being exported,
the US has firmly taken over from Italy as our top market, leading us to
believe that our growth trend will continue throughout 2014, repeating the
highly positive bottom line figures that we achieved in the past few years.

"As for racing, we certainly cannot
claim to be happy with the current results, but our goal is to bridge the gap
that currently separates us from the leaders. We are already working on the new
Desmosedici for 2014, when we want to be in a position to fight for podium
finishes."

Referring to the brand new model
released this week, Claudio Domenicali said: "The 899 Panigale is a prime
example of the technological excellence that has traditionally characterised
our motorcycles. It is the reward of what we call ‘performance redefined', a
modern, innovative sports motorcycle which uses ground-breaking technology to
ingeniously adjust to everyday use. User-friendly, safety-enhanced, and great
fun at the same time. A motorcycle as thrilling as only a true Ducati can be.
This important concept will carry on into our future production and also our
range expansion plans, focusing on the concept of performance that we intend to
extend upwards to create even more sophisticated, race-derived models, and
downwards to cater for the market of 'easier' and more accessible models."

The 899 Panigale will make its first
public appearance at the San Marino Republic round of the MotoGP championship
this weekend, when the brand new model will be unveiled just before MotoGP race
on Sunday 15 September.

Representing the first preview
of the Italian manufacturer's exciting 2014 model range, the highly anticipated
Ducati 899 Panigale marks the beginning of a new era for Ducati Superbikes. The
stunning model, intended to provide a new way to access the exclusive world of
Ducati Superbikes, is described as a "Supermid" version of the award-winning
1199 Panigale, designed to provide the thrill of the new generation flagship
model with the refined character of an everyday streetbike.

Its brand new Superquadro engine
features a revised bore and stroke for a broad power delivery, producing 148hp
(109kW) with a torque of 73lb-ft (10.1kgm). The super-smooth power unit
continues to be a fully stressed member of the innovative Panigale monocoque
construction, achieving both an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and
ride-enhancing agility with a dry weight of 169kg (372.5lb). An 1199 silhouette
underlines the family DNA, while the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) and the fully
integrated Riding Mode technologies of Ride-by-Wire, triple stage ABS, Ducati
Traction Control (DTC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC) continue the benchmark
ingenuity introduced with the new generation Superbike.

Ducati now offers all-round
performance for connoisseurs with an authentic and stylish way to enter the
world of high performance. The 899 Panigale will be available from late October
onwards in traditional Ducati red with black wheels or a stunning arctic white
silk with red wheels.

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